View full sizeTerry Richard/The OregonianWhen the mules are kicking up dust in the Wallowas, step aside and let them pass.

It sure can get dusty on those trails in the Wallowa Mountains. Want to know why? Just look at the photo.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not against horses and mules using wilderness areas, such as the Eagle Cap Wilderness in northeast Oregon.

They have been a long, accepted use of wilderness and increase the chance for those who can't walk long distances to use roadless backcountry.

All I'm saying is that it sure can be dusty on trails frequented by horses and mules. Those animals, after all, weigh a lot and walk around with steel shoes. They churn trails into dust.

The paths sometimes wind up being troughs, too. Oh how fun, walking through a wilderness in a two-foot deep linear hole. Believe me, it happens in the Wallowas. And rocks and tree roots get exposed, especially on steeper sections, making for clumsy footing, particularly if you are carrying a heavy pack and being your own mule.

The worst places are the most popular places: the trails from Wallowa Lake up the east and west forks of the Wallowa River, and those from Two Pan trailhead up the east and west forks of the Lostine River. Cornucopia on the south side and China Cap (Buck Creek trailhead) on the west are also impacted by stock traffic.

This photo is taken on the way to China Cap. The horse riders were bow hunters, polite as they passed by. I bet they know and love the wilderness more than me. But they sure kicked up a lot of dust and churned the trail into a mess. The main trail goes to Burger Butte. Where China Ridge Trail leaves it, the trail tread was in much better shape, because not as many horses go that way.

So, when you're planning a mid-summer hike in the Wallowas, keep the volume of the horse traffic in mind. Picking a trail with light use by horses will make it a lot more pleasant of a walk.

Rains will soon come and settle the dust, then snow will follow and close the wilderness to all but the most hardy.